Parade of Pollution: July 21, 2018. Letter from MCPS COO and 5.39 Inches of Rain #ArtificialTurfPrivilege

Part 5:

Then the rain came.  
On July 21, 2018, Rockville received 5.39 inches of rain in one day. That same day, MCPS Chief Operating Officer Andrew Zuckerman sent out a letter to the public.  

July 21, 2018Dear MCPS Community,This week, contractors began work to replace the artificial turf field at Richard Montgomery High School.  The existing artificial turf material has been removed and sent for recycling.  The entire system, including turf fibers and infill, will be repurposed as a continuation of the overall lifecycle of the materials.In addition, any remaining debris left over from the removal of the turf field will be cleared.  We have taken steps to mitigate the impact of the field removal process on the surrounding environment.  In addition to sweeping up debris, the storm water management system under the surface at Richard Montgomery High School is designed to contain debris within the system to allow for thorough, periodic cleaning.  Other preventative measures, such as the use of mesh screening over turf materials waiting to be hauled away, are also in place.  Contractors and MCPS staff are working diligently to remove the artificial turf in a safe and efficient manner and look forward to installing the new organic infill field shortly. Andrew ZuckermanChief Operating OfficerMontgomery County Public Schools 

  

The pictures below were taken on July 24, 2018 at Richard Montgomery High School and contradict the statements made by the MCPS COO.  

• The existing artificial turf and crumb rubber had not all been removed by July 21st.
• Mesh screening is not in use over the artificial turf left on site.
• Crumb rubber can be seen clogging up a storm drain, leaking out of a dumpster and spilling out of rolls of used artificial turf. 
• Crumb rubber can be seen floating in puddles of water on the grass.
• The removal of the used artificial turf and 120 tons of crumb rubber was far from over 3 days after the letter from the MCPS COO on July 21st.

  

 

See Parade of Pollution posts documenting the pollution to our stormwater and environment from the removal of this one artificial turf football field at this link.